Topic: Hello from Indiana, where the weather is teasing!

[CaffeinatedDreams]

Hey folks! I'm Chris, a brand spanking new 1978 cb750 Supersport owner from Indiana. I bought my new baby/project yesterday for $500. Regardless of condition, I think it was a great price for a running bike! That said, she is in fair shape, slightly modified, and on the road to many more modifications!

I'm planning on an oil change, new plugs, and getting the 6 month old gas swapped out for some new premium. Hopefully all tha goes on today! Then next week it will be on to a carb cleaning and sync, and buying a new Dyna S. It had one when it was delivered, but it was bad and only firing 2 cylinders, so we put the points back in and got her started. I'm SO FREAKING EXCITED to finally have my cb!!!! Just need this Indiana weather to stop playing with me

Anyone have reccomendations on oil weight and type? Spark plugs also? I have the Clymers, but maybe there's something newer/better. Thanks guys!

[kslrr]

Welcome!  Your manual should have oil and plug recommendations.  If not, you can down load the CB750 shop manuals from this site.  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=17788.0;topicseen

Don't use oils with "friction modifiers".  Look for oils that still contain zinc.  I've forgotten the rating code for these oils, or you can add zinc to the oil.  10w40w is the weight you should use.

As far as fuel goes, these bikes are designed for regular 87 to 89 octane, not premium.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

You'll be sorry you asked about oil! This could go on all day long. Buckle your seat belts boys, here goes - while 10W40 may be recommended many of us have had a tendency to also use 20W50 especially in hot weather (he says in a non-arguementative way  )

Anyway, welcome to our madness.

+1 on the friction modifiers. All I'll say is 'motorcycle specific' oil as they are intended for our wet clutches. I'd been known to use - drumroll - Castrol GTX 20W50 which is not motorcycle specific. Who knows, things change, #$%* happens  . If yer clutch slips you know whatever causes it ain't right.     

Manuals - I have 4, all different and all have mistakes/inaccuracies. They are generic in that changes happende along the way with engine serial numbers. Be sure that it has the supplements for the later bikes. Can't go wrong with the official shop manual. I like that and my Clymers better than my Haynes and Cycleserv.

[CaffeinatedDreams]

Thanks for the info! I went to a local motorcycle shop and got NGK D8AE plugs, and motorcyclye specific 10w40. Got her buttoned back up, and am now looking to carbs and electronic ignition! I'll definitely be starting a project thread!

[IndyFour]

Welcome!  Nice to see another Hoosier here.  Seem to be plenty of Indy folks here as well.  What side of town are you on?  I'm in the Irvington area (East side...10th and Emerson area).

If you are new to vintage bikes, a good place to go for parts and such is Cycle Recycle Part II on East 10th Street....especially if you are in need of something used.  He has everything in there.  You can usually get a decent deal on used parts...just have to deal with Robb's (owner) attitude/mood an plan to be there for a while waiting.

Next time you need plugs, hit autozone or AdvanceAuto, etc.  Plugs are usually significantly cheaper there (like a couple $$ a piece).  They always seem to have the NGK plugs I need for old Hondas.

Hope you got some riding in today....weather was decent now that the monsoon has ended.  Again, welcome.

[CaffeinatedDreams]

Hello! Fellow Hoosiers unite! Haha, I'm glad to hear there is a solid group of enthusiasts in central Indiana. I have heard Cycle-Recycle 2 is the place to go, I will have to check it out sometime this week. I'm a southsider myself, Keystone and Thompson. Not a long haul at all.

Are there any mechanics in the area worth checking out? I have a feeling my carbs need rebuilt, definitly synced,and I'm not sure I'm up for that yet.  I talked to Cycle Outfitters and they didn't want to touch carbs.

[IndyFour]

Can't recommend any shops really.  as you found out, most places dont wamt to deal with older machines.  Most folks I know just tackle it themselves.  That's part of the joy of having an old bike IMO.  I had never cracked open a set of carbs prior to owning my 550.  I've now redone a few sets on different bikes.  Get ahold of a PDF copy of the real Honda service manual for your year bike and things are spelled out clearly and accurately, usually with pictures.  You can find PDF downloads someplace here on the site.  Have faith in yourself and give it a try....not as hard as you think.

As for carb synch....I have not yet done it to my own bike after owning it for 4 or 5 yrs now.  Probably should be done, but just haven't bothered yet.  I even have a set of brand new vacuum gauges still in the box for when the time comes.

There's another local forum member here named Steve (goes by tango911).  He has redone several 750s and might either offer you advice or may even do some work if you throw him some cash.  He lives over in Brownsburg....nice, honest guy and would not lead you astray.  Maybe pm him.   

If you need anything just give me a shout.  I have a 550 not a 750....but a lot of things are similar to most models.  I can help with timing, valve clearance, maintenance, brakes, wheel bearings, etc.

Btw, do you know about the monthly vintage night at the steere inn (10th and Emerson)?  First Thursday of each month.  In warmer months there is usually a huge turn out.  Lots of bikes to look over and nice ppl to chat with.

Chris

[MCRider]

Welcome! Many Indy/Indiana members here. A few forum members advertise carb rebuild services. Not many CB mechanics local. We do what we can for ourselves and shipping parts, buying online is not uncommon.

You'll get more collective knowledge from these forums than from anyone local I think.  Rob at CycleRecyle II knows CBs very well, but he's an odd nut to work with.   Yu gotta go and meet him at least.

Chris and I are about the best local.   

[CaffeinatedDreams]

Thanks fellas, I'm definitely going to draw on the expertise of the forums, and the locals as well. I may try to get to Cycle 2 this weekend and see what that's about.

I did get to ride a little, but as the bike was bought on Saturday it hasn't been registered or plated yet so I just rode around the block. The bike runs like a beast when you're laying in it, but the idle is rough to non existent...lol...almost always dies without choke or throttle play.

Just want to say thanks again for the warm welcome, and volunteering the knowledge!

[IndyFour]

Chris and I are about the best local.   

Haha...If I'm one of the best local, then Indy is seriously lacking in bike knowledge!     You, however, are an artist.  Can't wait to see your build in motion one of these days.

[IndyFour]

Thanks fellas, I'm definitely going to draw on the expertise of the forums, and the locals as well. I may try to get to Cycle 2 this weekend and see what that's about.

I did get to ride a little, but as the bike was bought on Saturday it hasn't been registered or plated yet so I just rode around the block. The bike runs like a beast when you're laying in it, but the idle is rough to non existent...lol...almost always dies without choke or throttle play.

Just want to say thanks again for the warm welcome, and volunteering the knowledge!

Well you are surely in for a treat at CRCII.  I think he technically opens at noon....but noon = whenever he gets around to it.  Just FYI.

Rough idle could be the idle/slow jets are clogged up.  You might try running seafoam through a couple of tanks to see if it helps get the goo out if you are nervous about taking the carbs apart...but that's probably what needs to be done if the bike has sat any length of time.

Good luck and have fun with it.  Let me know if you're ever up for a ride....once you have plates, etc.

[CaffeinatedDreams]

Right on, I'll let you know when she's legal! I just hope the weather starts cooperating, this spring has been pissing me off! Thanks for letting me know about the Vintage night, how far into the night does that go? I work second shift in Plainfield, only reason I ask

I'm slowly talking myself into yanking the rack and tearing the carbs down myself. It doesn't seem as complicated as I thought after staring at the Clymers. I'll probably be tackling that towards the weekend, possibly ordering another Dyna S too! Super excited to try and get this thing purring!

[Damfino]

Shhhh! Don't tell my wife, but I still miss Indiana....

[CaffeinatedDreams]

Secret is safe! I love it here, but wouldn't be opposed to leaving and not looking back...lol

[IndyFour]

Shhhh! Don't tell my wife, but I still miss Indiana....

Indiana misses you Jay! 

[MCRider]

Shhhh! Don't tell my wife, but I still miss Indiana....

Indiana misses you Jay!

I thought somebody was missing.

[goldarrow]

For some reasons I'm not seeing any pics of the bike.  Am I missing something?  Does the bike actually exist? 

Welcome to the forum. 

[CaffeinatedDreams]

Hahaha, yeah I would love to show her off, but there are a couple reasons I haven't posted pics, the first being I was under the impression you had to have 5 posts to post pics, I only just passed that. And the second reason is that I'm doing all my posting from a phone! I havent quite figured out the best way to do that!

Thanks for the welcome! I am hoping to get pictures up shortly, but the bike in my avatar is the one in question!